Quicker penalties for water companies: A good step for the future of rivers

It is good to see the government taking steps to make the process of holding water companies to account faster and more cost-effective for the regulator. The current system generally takes many years for prosecutions to reach the courts and very high evidential standards. The hope is that this has an immediate effect and prevents environmental damage, where the fines are imposed the money must be spent on reversing the harm and must not just disappear into the black hole of the treasury. We now need to see government looking beyond the water companies and taking similar action against all sectors that cause environmental harm if we are to make real progress in reducing damage to our essential water environment. We need rivers fit for the future for thriving communities and economy.

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive at The Rivers Trust